DAVID SULLIVAN'S position at Birmingham looks increasingly untenable after even the club's players admitted City have been ripping their own supporters off.

Brum co-owner Sullivan has angered fans by charging expensive prices in the Championship this term and then moaning about poor attendances at St Andrews.

Sullivan's rift with fans has contributed to an atmosphere of doom and gloom around the club despite being third in the table. Just 15,854 turned out for Sunday's televised game against Stoke when tickets cost £29.

Birmingham defender Mat Sadler, 21, admits the club's lowest gate in seven years was no surprise to him. "It's unfortunate it was £29 to see Stoke when it was on the television at 11.30am in the morning.

"If I was a fan having been out on the Saturday night, I'd probably have stayed in bed and watched the game on TV."